WOLVERINES!
Set at an indeterminate point in the future, this drama with an overt anti-communist message begins as an ostensible war movie: Russian and Cuban forces have invaded the U.S. and are viciously eliminating the inhabitants of a small town, when a group of teens escapes and plans a counterattack. Jed (Patrick Swayze), Robert (C. Thomas Howell), and six of their friends watch in amazement as soldiers parachute into their town and start shooting. The teens grab a pickup truck, stock up on supplies at the local store, and head for the hills. Meanwhile, the men in the town — after a minimal resistance — are rounded up and held at a drive-in theater converted into a concentration camp. The sadistic Soviet military then make them watch acclaimed Russian director Sergei Eisenstein’s 1938 classic Alexander Nevsky, as their punishing rehabilitation begins. Meanwhile, after minimal resistance from the adults, a Cuban, Bella (Ron O’Neal), is put in charge and is not certain how he can really defeat the teen army. The Soviets and Cubans have so far defeated the American Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force, but these teens are really something else. After a successful ambush, the teen guerrillas gear up for future forays, when they are suddenly betrayed by one of their number and by doubts about the morality of what they are doing. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
I am not certain as to why this movie is not given to children upon their birth. I mean if you want a movie that pretty much defines what it means to be American, this is it. How in the hell this movie has stood the test of time for its plot and over the top acting, I will never know. The only thing I know for sure, is that this is a slice of Americana. This plays out like a Soldier of Fortune fantasy where America might be down and out, but our spirit lives on in the resistance. The sort of underdog mentality that is pure chest thumping and jingoistic, but damned if it isn’t a decent action film that endures of these decades later.
You have to love this movie for the fact that it was released during some Cold War Tensions, posturing to those Ruskies that America will always come out on top. We were daring them to try and take Colorado of all places, strike at us and be prepared for thousands of people to yell out “AVENGE ME!” as a band of high school kids start the resistance. It’s cheesy, it was a snapshot of America’s feeling towards Communism during the Cold War and like most action films from the 80s, violent as fuck.
Hopefully this will get people ready to blow shit up on the 4th in honor of our independence.